Built in 1997, Hyundai Assan Otomotive Sanayi (HAOS) in Ízmit, Turkey, is Hyundai’s longest-operating manufacturing facility outside Korea. 

The expanded capacity, which follows an investment of €475m, will increase Hyundai’s European production capacity to 500,000 units per annum and will mean that 90% of Hyundai vehicles sold in Europe will be built in the region by 2014.

As well as the HSOS plant, Hyundai has a second European facility located in Nošovice, Czech Republic, which produces 300,000 vehicles per annum.

Allan Rushforth, senior vice president and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: ‘The expansion of the plant in Turkey and our manufacturing capacity in the region demonstrates Hyundai’s increasing commitment to Europe. Our European factories will allow us to build the right cars for the region and to continue supporting communities and suppliers throughout Europe.’